In a bold move to reshape the US education system, Republican governors are pushing the Trump administration to grant them more control over federal education aid by converting it into block grants with fewer restrictions. This effort, which has long been championed by conservatives, has gained momentum as President Donald Trump seeks to reduce the federal government’s role in K-12 education. Several GOP-led states, including Iowa, Oklahoma, and Florida, are advocating for this change, seeing it as a way to give states greater flexibility to allocate funds based on their unique needs.
Iowa took the first step in March 2025, formally requesting that the US Department of Education consolidate multiple federal education aid programs into a single block grant. This proposal, if approved, would allow Iowa to administer the funds locally with minimal federal oversight. As reported by the Associated Press, Iowa’s education department asked to merge 10 federal funding streams, including Title I, which allocates over $100 million to the state’s schools annually.
The case for block grants
Conservative leaders argue that block grants would free schools from burdensome federal regulations and reporting requirements. “All states would like more flexibility and freedom,” said Jim Blew, former Education Department official under Trump, as quoted by the Associated Press. By consolidating federal aid into block grants, states could redirect the funds to where they are most needed, rather than adhering to a complex, fragmented system of grants for specific student groups, such as low-income or English learners.
The Trump administration has indicated support for this shift, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressing that states should have more control over education spending. As quoted by the Associated Press, McMahon stated that reducing “federal red tape” would allow states to direct funding where it is most beneficial.
Potential hurdles and legal challenges
Despite the growing support for block grants, critics warn that the proposal could undermine federal protections for vulnerable student populations. Ivy Smith Morgan of EdTrust, an educational equity think tank, cautioned that block grants could “reduce the connective thread” between funding and the specific groups it was intended to help, such as low-income students. Additionally, if Iowa’s proposal is approved, it is expected to face legal challenges, as it bypasses Congress to implement significant changes to federal education aid, as reported by the Associated Press.
GOP-led states rally behind the proposal
Other GOP-led states, including Oklahoma and Florida, are also pushing for block grants. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly advocated for this approach, and Oklahoma’s education office has confirmed it is exploring similar plans. As reported by the Associated Press, up to a dozen more states are expected to submit requests for block grants in the coming months.